ABSTRACT
Primary malignant melanoma of the oropharyngeal mucosa is clinically very aggressive tumour caused by malignant transformation of melanocytes originating from the mucosal epithelium. We described a case of extremelly rare primary malignant melanoma of the palatine tonsil in a 71-year-old man. The main symptoms were dysphagia and odynophagia. Diagnosis was done by pathohistological examination of the excised tonsil and supported by immunohistochemical analysis. Clinical examination didn’t show another site with primary melanoma. To our knowledge, only five cases of primary tonsillar melanoma have been previously reported in the world literature. We discussed the clinical and histopathological characteristics of this tumour, as well as diagnostic and treatment options in the management of these rare lesions. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis and clinical data are necessary for diagnosis of primary oropharyngeal mucosal melanoma.
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